House Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): Office of the Auditor General: Report 5, Professional Services Contracts, October 9, 2025

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): Chair, member since 2022

Connection to National Defence: Riding includes part of CFB Gagetown. Spouse is a Senior Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. Former member of the Standing Committee on National Defence (2013 – 2015).

Key Interests: Mr. Williamson has been a vocal critic of the Government's handling of defence procurement. Other key interests include: Government waste and corruption, particularly focusing on private consultants and outsourcing of Government contracts related to ArriveCAN and audits of COVID-19 programs; crime and gun control, including criticizing drug decriminalization policies; rising grocery prices; and, issues of national security and Canada-China relations.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• Has emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability over military spending, quicker and more efficient procurement processes, and avoiding cost overruns and delays.

Recent Interventions in the House:

• June 2025: Through a series of interventions during House debates, addressed crime and gun control, criticizing the Government's approach of targeting legal gun ownership over fighting gun crime in Canadian cities.
• February 2024: (In Debate on the Opposition Motion requesting a report on ArriveCAN) The ArriveCAN procurement was "lacking basic management and proper record-keeping, and there was no ministerial or departmental oversight."

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2011, 2019, 2021, 2025
• Prior occupation: Media: Editorial Writer, National Post (1998 – 2001); Advocacy: National Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation (2004 – 2008); Politics: Director of Communications, Office of the Prime Minister (2009 – 2010)
• Education: Bachelor's degree (Economics and Political Science) from McGill University; Master's degree (Economic History) from the London School of Economics.
• Other Committees: Liaison Committee (2022 – Present); Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (2020 – 2021); Standing Committee on Official Languages (2011 – 2013/2020 – 2021); Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on National Defence (2013 – 2015).
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: Canada NATO Parliamentary Association (2011 – 2013).

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): Vice-Chair, member since 2018.

Connection to National Defence: Through her parliamentary committee work, has engaged in discussions related to military justice, Operation HONOUR, and the recruitment and retention of pilots within the Canadian Armed Forces.

Key Interests: Conflicts of interest of government employees, international trade relations, affordability, tariff concerns, community safety.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• September 2025: Ms. Yip discussed the reports under consideration for study by PACP and expressed an interest in those by the Environment Commissioner as well as Current and Future Use of Federal Office Space citing concerns over housing.
• June 2025: Ms. Yip asked the Auditor General several questions on Report 4, Professional Services Contracts, and public servants adherence to procurement rules.
• March 2024: Moved a motion to have the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), and the Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources – Civilian) appear before PACP in relation to dealings with Dalian and ArriveCan. Subsequently, during the appearance of National Defence officials in March 2024, Ms. Yip asked the Deputy Minister why individuals could be both an employee and contractor for National Defence, as in the case of Dalian. When then Minister of National Defence Blair appeared at PACP in June 2024 in relation to ArriveCan and Dalian, Ms. Yip questioned why certain contracts might be awarded in a non-competitive manner.
• March 2024: Ms. Yip asked multiple questions regarding National Defence's conflict of interest process in relation to David Yeo, Dalian owner. For example, Ms. Yip inquired on the conflict of interest process that National Defence undertook during the time of Mr. Yeo's resignation. Ms. Yip asked Mr. Yeo to explain the hiring process and the ethics and conflict forms that were signed.

Recent Interventions in the House:

• June 2025: (Question Period) Asked the Minister of International Trade about Canada's plans for trade diversification.
• June 2025: (Member Statements) Committed to focus on affordability, tariff concerns and community safety.

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2017 (by-election, widow of Arnold Chan, her predecessor), 2019, 2021, 2025.
• Prior occupation: Insurance: Holds the Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional Designation; Teacher: School teacher United Church (2005 – 2017); Science and Tech: Involved with the STEM Fellowship Board of Directors which promotes computer literacy and programming capacity among youth (2017– Present).
• Education: Bachelor's degree (Labour Management Relations and Sociology) from the University of Toronto.
• Other Committees: Current member of NATO Parliamentary Association (2018 – 2025); Special Committee on the Canada–People's Republic of China Relationship (2020 – 2021, 2022 – 2025).
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: NATO Parliamentary Association (2018 – 2025).

Political Role: Critic: Regional Economic Development (since 2021), Public Accounts, Indigenous Relations, and Sport (2025 – present)

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): Vice-Chair, New Member. Replaced, Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, his former colleague from Terrebonne.

Connection to National Defence: The 34 Combat Engineer Regiment detachment is located within Mr. Lemire's riding and he has advocated for a strengthened military presence in his riding.

Key Interests: Government contracting, procurement reform, Francophone rights and Quebec sovereignty, regional development, indigenous relations and northern development, agricultural innovation and climate resilience, and forestry and environmental sustainability.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• September 2025: Brought forward two motions that he tabled on June 16 regarding studies that he would like the committee to undertake. The first was a study of the federal government's financial commitments related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they appear in the Public Accounts of Canada. The second, that the Auditor General conduct a performance audit of the Federal Additions to Reserve process.
• March 2024: Mr. Lemire appeared as a guest member to question officials from Public Services and Procurement Canada on the contracting for ArriveCan. His line of questioning focused on how David Yeo was able to work simultaneously as a civil servant at National Defence while receiving government contracts as a private consultant.

Recent Interventions in the House:

• June 2025: (Debates on Main Estimates 2025-2026) Spoke in support of investing in a national aerospace policy, with the stated goal of enabling Canada to "build an aircraft from nose to tail" in Montreal. He has also expressed a preference for Canadian companies to manage critical mineral extraction and for an increase in the amount of resource refinement conducted in Canada (rather than exporting raw materials).

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2019, 2021, 2025
• Prior occupation: Communications: Worked in various political and union communications jobs in Montreal and in Abitibi-Témiscamingue prior to being elected. Also served as President of the Bloc Québécois youth association.
• Education: Studied Public Administration at Université de Sherbrooke, at the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés and at the École national d'administration publique (ENAP).
• Other Committees: Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs and Northern Affairs (2024 – present); Former Member: Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (2020 – 2024) (Vice Chair); Special Committee on the Covid-19 Pandemic (2020 – 2020).
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2020 – present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2020 – Present).

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): Member since 2025

Connection to National Defence: No known connections to National Defence.

Key Interests: Government contracting, affordable housing, violent crime

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• September 2025: In regard to selecting the Auditor General reports for the committee to study, Mr. Kuruc recommended those on the Current and Future Use of Federal Office Space and Professional Service Contracts with GCStrategies.
• June 2025: In relation to the federal government contract with GCStrategies Inc. asked "is it standard practice for government departments to not check the skills and qualifications of people hired through their outsourcing contracts?"

Recent Interventions in the House:

• June 2025: (Debate on the Opposition Motion regarding GCStrategies Inc.) Spoke about Government contracts with GCStrategies and the Government's lack of transparency and accountability.
• June 2025: Asked Order Paper Question 65, seeking information on the number of government contracts cancelled, the total amount paid in cancellation fees, and details of cancellations, since January 1, 2023.
• June 2025 (Debate on Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates (A) for 2025-26) Rose multiple times to pose questions regarding what the Government will do to address the cost of housing.
• June 2025: (Debate on Address in Reply) Spoke about gun crime in the city of Hamilton.

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2025
• Prior occupation: Entrepreneur: Owner of Neku Cannabis (2020 – Present); Director of Events and Fighter Acquisitions at K-1 Global; owner of several bars and nightclubs; Provincial Advisory Council: Appointed as the Council Chair to the Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture's Combative Sport Advisory Council (2024).
• Education: High school diploma from Orchard Park Secondary School.
• Other Committees: N/A
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: N/A

Political Role: Shadow Minister for Revenue

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): returning Member as of June 2025, previous member between 2017-2018

Connection to National Defence: Riding is located near CFB Valcartier

Key Interests: transparency and accountability in Government contracting, prioritizing the defence budget.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• June 2025: In addressing the Auditor General, Mr. Deltell spoke about cost overruns in government contracting and brought up the F-35 program and the accountability for elected officials.

Recent Interventions in the House:

• September 2025: (Debate on Bill C-8) Mr. Deltell spoke on Bill C-8, An Act Respecting Cyber Security, emphasizing the global nature of cyber threats and the importance of protecting personal information. He called for clearer definitions within the Gill regarding what constitutes personal data, to ensure privacy is not compromised while enhancing cybersecurity.
• September 2025: (Debate on the Business of Supply) Mr. Deltell rose to address the carbon tax, noting his support for the oil and gas industries, and questioned whether Liberal MPs were truly listening to Quebeckers on this issue.
• June 2025: Mr. Deltell rose during debate on the Opposition Motion regarding GC Strategies Inc. and criticized the Government's transparency and accountability.

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2015, 2019, 2021, 2025
• Prior occupation: TV correspondent at Noovo; Canadian TV network; CIRO-FM Radio station
• Education: Bachelor's degree (History) from Université Laval.
• Other Committees: Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (2022-2025); Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (2022); Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2020).
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2018-2019).

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): New Member

Connection to National Defence: No known connections to National Defence.

Key Interests: Government contracting, civic education, immigration and newcomer support.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• September 2025: Ms. Tesser Derksen expressed a special interest in the committee studying the environmental reports issued by the Commissioner of the Environment.
• June 2025: In relation to the federal government contract with GC Strategies Inc., asked about contextual factors, either internally or externally, "that may have created a fog within the department and that may have contributed to the relegation of rule-following".

Recent Interventions in the House:

• September 2025: (Statements by Members, Georgetown Boys & Armenia Independence Day) She delivered a speech commemorating Armenia's Independence Day and reflected on the historical significance of the Georgetown Boys, a group of Armenian orphans brought to Canada in the 1920s.
• June 2025: (Debate on the Opposition Motion regarding GC Strategies Inc.) Asked about the importance of due process and the legal process that the Government should follow in recovering losses and damages and in seeking a remedy.
• May 2025: (Statements by Members, Civic Education in Schools) Ms. Tesser Derksen shared a story about grade 4 and 5 students at Glen Williams Public School in Georgetown, highlighting their engagement with civic education and democratic values.

Professional History

• Years elected: 2025
• Prior occupation: Lawyer: Miller Thomson LLP (2013 – 2014); Johnson McMaster Professional Corporation (2014 – 2023); Greenwood Tesser Derksen (2023 – 2025); Municipal Politics: Milton Town Council (2018 – 2025)
• Education: Bachelor's degree (History and Political Science), Law degree from the University of Toronto
• Other Committees: N/A
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2025 – Present)

Political Role: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience (2025 – Present), Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury Board (2024 –2025); Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement (2021 – 2023); Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour (2019 – 2021)

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): New Member

Connection to National Defence: No known connections to National Defence.

Key Interests: Israel-Gaza conflict, the defence industry, reaching NATO 2% of GDP, the Arctic, minority language rights, and antisemitism. Mr. Housefather has been active on the issue of bilingualism and the protection of minority language rights and has frequently stood in the House to voice his opposition to Quebec's Bill 96.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• September 2025: Mr. Housefather recommended that the committee conduct a study of the F-35s, citing, "I do believe the F-35s are a very pressing issue, in terms of decisions we're going to make, a very important relationship with the United States and the need to have fighter jets."
• June 2025: Mr. Housefather asked the Auditor General if there is a legal basis to reclaim the amount ($64 million) paid to GC Strategies Inc., as they did not meet the requirements of the contract.

Recent Interventions in the House:

• September 2025: (Debate on the Notwithstanding Clause) During a debate on the Business of Supply, Housefather responded to a Bloc Québécois motion concerning the Notwithstanding Clause. He questioned whether the Government of Canada should refrain from intervening in legal conflicts between provincial courts (Quebec and Saskatchewan) and federal institutions. He emphasized that the clause affects not only provinces but also the federal government, including the House of Commons and the Senate.

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2015, 2019, 2021, 2025
• Prior occupation: Corporate Career: Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, and General Counsel at Dialogic Corporation; Municipal Politics: Town Councillor in Hampstead (1994 - 2001), President of Alliance Quebec (2000 – 2001), Councillor in the merged City of Montreal, and Leader of the Demerger Movement in Montreal (2001 – 2005), Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc (2005 – 2015)
• Education: Bachelor of Civil Law and Bachelor of Laws from McGill University; Master of Business Administration from Concordia University.
• Other Committees: Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2024 – 2025); Justice and Human Rights (2016 – 2019/2023 –2024); Canadian Heritage (2020 – 2023); Government Operations and Estimates (2021 – 2023); Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States (2021 – 2021).
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2018 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2020 – 2021/2025 – Present).

Political Role: Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): New Member

Connection to National Defence: The member is newly elected and has no known connections to National Defence.

Key Interests: Accountability and transparency with government spending, energy security.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• September 2025: Mr. Osborne asked the Auditor General, who was appearing as a witness to discuss the 2025 Reports, to provide recommendations on how government departments can better follow procurement rules.
• June 2025: Mr. Osborne addressed the Auditor General regarding rules surrounding financial administration in government.

Recent Interventions in the House:

• June 2025: (Debate on Main Estimates 2025-26) Mr. Osborne reinforced that the increased spending in the Canadian Armed Forces is to ensure that they have equipment, health care and health insurance, respect, and that the CAF is seen as a rewarding career.

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2025
• Prior occupation: Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) of Newfoundland and Labrador: MHA for Waterford Valley (1996-2024). Held various provincial Cabinet positions under both Progressive Conservative and Liberal Governments, including Minister of Finance, Minister of Health and Community Services, Minister of Education, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Justice
• Other Committees: N/A
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2025 – Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2025 – Present).

Political Role: Shadow Minister of the Treasury Board and the King's Privy Council

Role at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP): New Member, but previously, was a long-standing member of the Government Operations and Estimates Committee (OGGO).

Connection to National Defence: No known connections to National Defence.

Key Interests: Procurement, contracting, defence spending, China, Ukraine, culture change.

Recent Interventions at PACP:

• September 2025: In regards to committee business, Ms. Kusie recommended that the committee study the Auditor General reports on the Current and Future Use of Office Space, Professional Services, and GCStrategies.
• June 2025: Ms. Kusie questioned the Auditor General on ministerial accountability on releasing payment for deliverables that were not received.

Recent Interventions in the House:

• September 2025: (Opposition Motion in the Business of Supply) During a debate on the Business of Supply, Ms. Kusie supported a motion calling on the Prime Minister to repeal the oil and gas emissions cap, which she described as a production cap. She argued that such policies were harmful to Canada's energy sector.
• September 2025: (Question Period) Ms. Kusie criticized the Prime Minister for failing to deliver a budget six months into his mandate. She highlighted that experts were projecting a deficit twice as large as the one created under Justin Trudeau and expressed concern about the lack of fiscal responsibility.

Professional History:

• Years elected: 2017, 2019, 2021, 2025
• Prior occupation: Diplomat (Argentina 2006, El Salvador 2006 – 2008, Consul for Canada in Dallas 2010 – 2013). Policy advisor to the Honourable Minister Peter Kent during his time as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the Americas (2009).
• Education: Bachelor's degree (Political Science) from the University of Calgary, Master's degree (Business Administration) from Rutgers University.
• Other Committees: COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2022 – 2025); Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (2020 – 2022) (Vice-Chair); Standing Committee on Official Languages (2017, 2024);
• Other Defence-related Parliamentary Roles: Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2025 – Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2017 – 2025).